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Extended axle vents

Mack90

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Has anyone extended their axle vents to a higher location? If so, where did you extend them to? I am thinking of doing this to keep water out of axle. Any thoughts on this?
 

Mullaney

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Has anyone extended their axle vents to a higher location? If so, where did you extend them to? I am thinking of doing this to keep water out of axle. Any thoughts on this?
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Suggest that you come up behind the cab and put a filter on the end of your hose. That way you don't end up with dirt daubers or similar building a nest in the end of your hose.
 

Mack90

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I never noticed ports on the air cleaner. I will look when I get home. Has it helped keeping water out of the axles?
 

Superthermal

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I don't have the kit on my rig as it is but in my research the fittings on the axle are 1/4" NPT for a 5 ton, You will want to run the hoses from the three axles and the trans and tcase. They can all be tied together into one line as needed up to a high point. I was going to bring mine into the engine bay just under the hood. For tubing, some have used 1/4" air line hose with brass fittings, or others have used nylon hose with quick disconnect fittings, some instead of nylon hose use thick wall silicone which does better about not blocking off flow when bent/kinked. (I used both in my machine background with doing medical device manufacturing. All three options I listed here are tuff and would likley do just fine if installed properly for each type.
One item I would be adding is a 0-5psi air regulator that is plumbed into the system, that when switched ON, charges the breather lines with 2-3psi of air just prior to a heavy fording and then relieved of pressure when you are done allowing the axles etc... to exhale/inhale hot air as with normal use. This extra item allows the axles to be pressurized just enough to keep any deep fording water pressure from entering the axles. This is also what was available in a "deep fording kit" that was apparently added to some rigs in the service.
These 0-5psi air regulators are for some reason overly expensive, something like 70 bucks even without the regulator your better off with anything over stock.
Here is the list of parts I was planning on with the exception to the self relieving 3 way air valve I hadn't yet decided on if I wanted this manual or electrical to switch my M813 The BOT from land vessel to sea vessel LOL.
1735613937908.png
 

Jbulach

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I never noticed ports on the air cleaner. I will look when I get home. Has it helped keeping water out of the axles?
Sorry, that’s pre filter on the m939 series, I just realized you’re probably working on an older truck that wont have these. Do not plumb it in after the air filter as you will be pulling positive pressure on your vents.

I used DOT nylon brake tube, I’ll have to look when I get a chance but fairly sure I used 3/8”.

I had plans to do the same as @Superthermal but my truck will likely never see “deep” water. I was thinking of putting a valve to close the engine slobber tube and use crankcase pressure to pressurize the engine and drivetrain. Instead of a typical regulator, they make something like a low pressure pop-off valve that will vent the pressure when the necessary pressure is exceeded. 2.5psi should be sufficient for the height of the fender mount air cleaners.
 
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Mack90

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I like the idea of the pressurized system. Are you concerned about oil buildup if you use crankcase pressure? That pressure relief may get gummed up.
 

Jbulach

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It would only see crankcase gas when fording. I would probably use a 2 position solenoid vale and pull from the top of the motor, not the slobber tube to cut down on the vapor. I would also put the pressure relief down stream of the rear axle to hopefully cut down on how much crap makes it to it.
 

Mack90

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Can someone enlighten me as to the purpose of the vent/valve for axles. Is this a popoff that is used with a tee for the air pressuring hose or does the hose attach to the axle elsewhere?

IMG_4542.jpeg

i am also going to enquire about the effectiveness of the fording / vented fuel cap. It looks like there is a valve you turn on the underside to change it from vented to sealed?

IMG_4543.pngIMG_4544.png
 
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Mullaney

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Can someone enlighten me as to the purpose of the vent/valve for axles. Is this a popoff that is used with a tee for the air pressuring hose or does the hose attach to the axle elsewhere?

View attachment 938282

i am also going to enquire about the effectiveness of the fording / vented fuel cap. It looks like there is a valve you turn on the underside to change it from vented to sealed?

View attachment 938283View attachment 938284
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Yes Sir.

That is the factory vent.
What we are doing is extending that vent up out of the water if you happen to be fording a stream... A lot of times, if you put it above your nose while seated in the truck you will be safe :cool:

Nothing wrong with using the factory vent - except once it goes underwater - it comes time to change the oil in your differentials. NOW not in a few weeks...
 

Jbulach

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The “water resistant” vales should do a good job of keeping water from entering thought itself, if kept clean. My belief is that most water intrusion when fording is from your warm/hot components, quenched by the colder water, creating a slight vacuum and wanting to pull water in past the seals, obviously along with the weight of the water trying to push itself in. Also, I think people tend to get too crazy with the air pressure when creating fording setups. “Inches of water” is a fairly common unit of measure that can be easily be converted to PSI for reference when determining how deep you want to go, and how much pressure you want to run. I’m betting too much pressure will want to blow bubbles trough the seals, “opening” them up, possibly allowing water in. A large adjustable propane regulator may get you the volume and pressure you need… I think @rustystud laid out plans on here somewhere for an elaborate fording system using some type of self regulating SCUBA regulator, but was very expensive IIRC.
 
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Mack90

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I am calculating the hydrostatic pressure is 2psi for 6 ft of water. I am going to test flow on a regulator set at 2 psi. I am going to test thr opening pressure on ine of the water resistant valves. If it opens over 2psi, I may tee one in.
 
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